New talent signals strong year ahead for soccer team

DCU’s senior soccer team look to be the strongest they have ever been going into the new season thanks to a number of new players, including some youth internationals, coming into the squad.

The removal of the rule preventing teams from using Airtricity League players in the Collingwood Cup has been a huge boost for the Glasnevin university, something that was evident at last year’s competition when a narrow loss to NUI Galway saw DCU exit at the semi-final stage.

Shelbourne’s Robbie Gaul will remain a key player in the centre of defence this season and the team will be boosted by the return of his brother, David, who missed all of last year’s campaign due to injury.

Gaul will be joined by fellow Shelbourne teammate Alan O’Sullivan, who has just come into the university. O’Sullivan will be a major asset for Declan Roche’s side after recently returning from a two year stint with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League. O’Sullivan has been capped a number of times at under-19 level for Ireland. The 19-year-old has made six league appearances for Shels this season, bagging one goal, as well as scoring against St Pat’s in the recent FAI Cup last 16 clash.

Two more League of Ireland players will also be included in Declan Roche’s side this season with Shamrock Rovers’ Jack Watson and Waterford United’s Mark Walsh coming into the squad.

Walsh has come through the under-19 ranks at Waterford and is now a first team regular while Watson has regularly featured for Shamrock Rovers ‘B’ in this season’s Airtricity League First Division campaign.

Roche’s aim is to get over the line and win some silverware in this, his third year in charge of the team, and with the players he now has at his disposal DCU will certainly pose a big threat in both the league and the Collingwood Cup.